Financial Services UK

  • July 12, 2024

    Lawyer Beats Allegation He Helped Tycoon Duck Asset Freeze

    A leading Monégasque lawyer did not conspire to help an embattled Taiwanese shipping magnate evade an asset freezing order, as he "honestly believed" he was entitled to transfer $26 million from the sale of the businessman's villas, a London judge ruled Friday.

  • July 12, 2024

    UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London

    This past week in London has seen the owner of the Lambretta scooter brand Innocenti SA embroiled in a trademark dispute with a property developer, a clash between two art dealers over a collection of tapestries, Telecom Italia pursue a debt claim against a competing telecommunications company, and performing arts trade union Equity hit a casting directory for charging unfair subscription fees on actors. Here, Law360 looks at these and other new claims in the U.K.

  • July 12, 2024

    Israeli Aquafarm Blames War For Unpaid $21M Debt

    An Israeli aquafarming company has hit back at an asset management firm trying to recover $21 million for an allegedly unpaid settlement agreement, arguing it has been impossible to raise money following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in Israel.

  • July 12, 2024

    Dentons To Face SRA Appeal On AML Misconduct Ruling

    The Solicitors Regulation Authority has appealed against a London tribunal's decision that inadvertent anti-money laundering failures at the U.K. arm of Dentons over a politically exposed client did not amount to professional misconduct.

  • July 12, 2024

    Asset Manager Impax Completes Financial Adviser Buyout

    Impax said on Friday that it has now completed the purchase of the assets of fixed-income manager Absalon Corp. Credit, as the private equity firm which focuses on renewable energy looks to expand its business beyond the U.S.

  • July 12, 2024

    FCA Cuts Record-Keeping For Banks Advising Listed Firms

    The Financial Conduct Authority has cut record-keeping requirements for banks advising client companies that are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

  • July 12, 2024

    Fix AML Defenses Or Face Fines, German Banking Group Told

    Germany's financial watchdog warned the Solaris SE digital banking group on Friday that it faces regulatory penalties if it does not shore up its defenses against money laundering.

  • July 12, 2024

    Gov't Urged To Set Up Comp Program For Pension Failings

    Women who lost out after the government failed to tell them that their retirement age had changed have called for the "swift implementation" of a compensation program by the new pensions minister.

  • July 11, 2024

    London Revamps Listing Rules To Hone Competitive Edge

    The move by the financial watchdog to rewrite U.K. Listing Rules better equips the London Stock Exchange to attract and retain high-growth companies, experts tell Law360. And they downplay fears the new rules could weaken consumer protection.

  • July 11, 2024

    NCA Can Seize Money Linked To £55M Tax Scam

    A 13-year money laundering investigation involving a lottery winner, a bomb hoax and a £55 million ($71 million) tax fraud neared its end at a London court on Thursday as a judge ordered funds from three defunct companies to be forfeited to the National Crime Agency.

  • July 11, 2024

    Labour Urged To Represent All Generations In Policy Planning

    The new Labour government must ensure that its policy agenda reflects the needs of all generations, pensions provider Aegon said on Thursday, saying its research suggests that under-50s are more positive about their long-term financial planning than those who are older.

  • July 11, 2024

    Barclays Sued By Trader For Suspending Investor's Account

    Barclays is being sued for allegedly blocking a customer from trading on the bank's investor platform and failing to tell the market trader when selling could resume, losing him £6.7 million ($8.6 million) in profit.

  • July 11, 2024

    Social Media Influencers Deny FCA Charges Over Forex Ads

    Eight reality TV stars and social media influencers pleaded not guilty to charges brought by the Financial Conduct Authority at a London court on Thursday over claims that they promoted a high-risk trading scheme dealing in financial products without authorization.

  • July 11, 2024

    Ex-Autonomy CFO Formally Banned After Conviction

    The U.K. audit watchdog said on Thursday that it has formalized its 20-year exclusion from the accountants' professional body of the chief financial officer of software company Autonomy after he was convicted of fraud and securities offenses in the U.S.  

  • July 11, 2024

    FCA Overhauls Share Listing Rules To Boost LSE

    The Financial Conduct Authority unveiled a "significant" revamp of its share listings regime on Thursday, a move to help the London Stock Exchange provide corporate financing and stay competitive with other global financial centers. 

  • July 10, 2024

    Deutsche Bank Settles Ex-Trader's Malicious Prosecution Suit

    Deutsche Bank has settled a lawsuit brought by a former trader who claimed the bank scapegoated him when the U.S. Department of Justice began an investigation into suspected interest rate rigging, according to a Wednesday filing in New York federal court.

  • July 10, 2024

    HMRC, CPS Beat Financier's Claim Over Botched Prosecution

    HM Revenue and Customs and the Crown Prosecution Service have beaten claims of malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office by a corporate financier following a failed criminal fraud case, with a judge finding that they had enough evidence to pursue him.

  • July 10, 2024

    FCA Beats Applicant's Claim Over Noise Aversion Condition

    The Financial Conduct Authority did not fail to accommodate a job applicant with a sound sensitivity condition, an employment tribunal has ruled after finding the agency did everything it could to mitigate her condition.

  • July 10, 2024

    UK Prosecutors Secure 1st Monero Crypto Payout

    A drug dealer has paid back £15,000 ($19,200) of his illegal profits by surrendering his Monero cryptocurrency to a U.K. government agency, the first time the coin has been sold off in a Crown Prosecution Service case.

  • July 10, 2024

    Citi Rebuked Over Botched Misconduct Probe Into Trader

    A decision by Citigroup to fire a trader amid allegations that he had given misleading updates on deals was unfair because its probe was plagued by delays and led to an unreasonable finding of gross misconduct, a tribunal has ruled.

  • July 10, 2024

    Gov't Appoints Minister For Both Treasury And DWP

    The new Labour government has appointed a minister spanning HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions, a move that analysts said could indicate a more joined-up approach to pensions policy.

  • July 10, 2024

    Finance Co. Can't Escape Liability In £1.7M Failed Investments

    A finance company has failed to duck liability for botched property investments worth approximately £1.7 million ($2.2 million) as a London appeals court found the firm had accepted responsibility for another business to arrange the deals.

  • July 10, 2024

    PE Biz TowerBrook Bids £253M For Payments Platform Co.

    Private equity shop TowerBrook Capital Partners LP has made an improved cash offer of £253 million ($325 million) for Equals Group PLC, the British financial technology company said Wednesday after it put itself up for sale.

  • July 09, 2024

    Hedge Fund Says Nickel Pause Was 'Regulatory Overreaction'

    A U.S. hedge fund on Tuesday sought to revive its claim against the London Metal Exchange over the market's decision to cancel over $12 billion in nickel trades, arguing that the exchange never had the power to do so.

  • July 09, 2024

    Labour Gov't Plans Investment-Boosting National Wealth Fund

    The U.K. Treasury on Tuesday detailed plans to create a National Wealth Fund worth £7.3 billion ($9.3 billion) to boost private investment in energy and infrastructure, part of the new Labour government's plans to stimulate economic growth.

Expert Analysis

  • Why Ukraine Aircraft Insurance Case Failed To Take Off In UK

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    In Aercap v. PJSC Insurance, the High Court decided the claimants could not avoid an exclusive jurisdiction clause and advance their case in England rather than Ukraine, and the reasoning is likely to be of relevance in future jurisdiction disputes, say Abigail Healey and Genevieve Douglas at Quillon Law.

  • Labour's 'Fresh Approach' To Tackling Financial Crime

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    Given newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s background as a criminal defense lawyer and director of public prosecutions, an administration with strong views on financial crime can be expected, and revenue raising and proceeds of crime recovery are likely to be at the forefront, says Matthew Cowie at Rahman Ravelli.

  • Unpacking Pressures, Trends Affecting Global Supply Chains

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    A recent HSBC report reveals a number of trends and challenges for global supply chains in the current uncertain geopolitical landscape, and with constant emerging opportunities, companies that can stay informed, be proactive and adapt to change will be well positioned to succeed, says Michelle Craven-Faulkner at Shoosmiths.

  • What UK Digital Markets Act Will Mean For Competition Law

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    The new Digital Markets Act’s reforms will strengthen the Competition and Markets Authority's investigatory and enforcement powers across its full remit of merger control and antitrust investigations, representing a seismic shift in the U.K. competition and consumer law landscape, say lawyers at Travers Smith.

  • What New UK Labour Gov't Is Planning For Financial Services

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    Following the Labour Party’s U.K. election win on July 4, the new government has already announced its key missions for economic growth, green investment and tax reform, so affected Financial Conduct Authority-regulated entities should be prepared for change and on the lookout for details, says Rachael Healey at RPC.

  • Companies Trading In The EU Should Heed Mondelēz Ruling

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    The European Commission’s recent €337.5 million fine of Mondelēz is the latest decision targeting restrictions on EU cross-border trade, and serves as a warning to companies active in the region to check their contracts and practices for illegal restraints, and to perform audits to ensure compliance, says Matthew Hall at McGuireWoods.

  • Why Reperforming Loan Securitization In UK And EU May Rise

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    The recently published new U.K. securitization rules will largely bring the U.K.’s nonperforming loan regime in line with the European Union, and together with the success of EU and U.K. banks in reducing loan ratios, reperforming securitizations may feature more prominently in relevant markets going forward, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

  • What French Watchdog Ruling Means For M&A Landscape

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    Although ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence, the French competition authority’s recent post-closing review of several nonreportable mergers is a landmark case that highlights the increased complexity of such transactions, and is further testament to the European competition authorities’ willingness to expand their toolkit to address below-threshold M&As, say lawyers at Cleary.

  • New Directors' Code Of Conduct May Serve As Useful Guide

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    Although the Institute of Directors’ current proposal for a voluntary code of conduct is strongly supported by its members, it must be balanced against the statutory requirement for directors to promote their company’s success, and the risk of claims by shareholders if their decisions are influenced by wider social considerations, says Matthew Watson at RPC.

  • Exploring The EU's Draft Standards On Crypto Authorization

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    The European Securities and Markets Authority’s recently published draft standards aim to promote fair competition and a safer environment for crypto providers and investors, detailing precisely the information to be provided to national authorities in charge of screening the acquisitions of a qualifying holding, says Mathieu de Korvin at Norton Rose.

  • How FCA Guidance Aligns With Global Cyberattack Measures

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    The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority’s recent guidance on preparing for cyberattacks aligns with the global move by financial regulators to focus on operational resilience, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies and robust resilience frameworks to mitigate disruptions, while observing a disappointing level of engagement by the industry, say Alix Prentice and Grace Ncube at Cadwalader.

  • Takeaways From Regulators' £61.6M Citigroup Trading Fine

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    Following the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority’s recent significant fining of Citigroup for its catastrophic trading error, and with more enforcement likely, institutions should update their controls and ensure system warnings do not become routine and therefore disregarded, says Abdulali Jiwaji at Signature Litigation.

  • Factors For London Cos. To Consider If Adding US Listings

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    Recent reports of a continuing valuation gap between London and New York have resulted in some London-listed companies considering U.S. listings to gain an increased investor base, but with various obligations and implications involved in such a move, organizations should consider whether there is a real benefit from trading there, say lawyers at Winston & Strawn.

  • Assessing The Energy Act 2023, Eight Months On

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    Although much of the detail required to fully implement the Energy Act 2023 remains to be finalized, the scale of change in the energy sector is unprecedented, and with the U.K. prioritizing achieving net-zero, it is likely that developments will continue at pace, say lawyers at Paul Hastings.

  • Opinion

    Why Timing Makes UK Libor Judgments Controversial

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    The recent U.K. Court of Appeal decision in the R v. Hayes and Palombo appeal against Libor convictions demonstrates that had U.K. regulators probed with the facts known today, civil claims in all jurisdictions would be dismissed and a decadelong wasted investigation should be put to rest, says Charles Kuhn at Clyde & Co.

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